--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fear is the greatest enemy of humanity…" description: "\"“Fear is the greatest enemy of humanity, it paralyses tons and tons of people around the globe.”\" — Euginia Herlihy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/euginia-herlihy-998_fear_fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-i_3201430.jpg" --- # Fear is the greatest enemy of humanity, it paralyses tons… ![“Fear is the greatest enemy of humanity, it paralyses tons and tons of people around the globe.” quote by Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/euginia-herlihy-998_fear_fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-i_3201430.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/euginia-herlihy-998_fear_fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-i_3201430.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/euginia-herlihy-998_fear_fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-i_3201430.jpg) > ““Fear is the greatest enemy of humanity, it paralyses tons and tons of people around the globe.”” [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Fear immobilizes people, preventing action and progress. **In simple terms:** Fear stops people from acting. Key Takeaway Recognize and confront fear to act. Themes fear humanity paralysis Mood anxious reflective Type motivational cautionary When to use this quote - personal decisions - political activism - health crises - education gaps Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How does fear influence your daily choices? - What strategies reduce fear’s grip? A Different Perspective Fear can also motivate caution and safety; not always negative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemy Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy-humanity-1855642/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Greatest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-greatest-1824170/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Humanity Paralyses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity-paralyses-5945404/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Wisdom quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-quotes/) ## Related quotes > [“We are the enemies of society, for society is the enemy of humanity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/we-are-the-enemies-of-society-for-society-is-the-enemy-of-humanity/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [Nuclear war is such an emotional subject that many people see the weapons themselves as the common enemy of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-kahn/nuclear-war-is-such-an-emotional-subject-that-many-people-see-the/) [Herman Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-kahn/) > [“The true enemy of humanity was not Evil, an abstract idea personified by some sort of crimson-faced creature dancing in flames, but Chance, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dexter-palmer/the-true-enemy-of-humanity-was-not-evil-an-abstract-idea-personified/) [Dexter Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dexter-palmer/) > [The enemy of a tree is not only the enemy of humanity, but also the enemy of all the living beings!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/the-enemy-of-a-tree-is-not-only-the-enemy-of-humanity-but-also-the/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [No people on earth can be held, as a people, to be an enemy, for all humanity shares the common hunger for peace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/no-people-on-earth-can-be-held-as-a-people-to-be-an-enemy-for-all/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [The common enemy of humanity is man. In searching for a new enemy to unite us, we came up with the idea that pollution,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aurelio-peccei/the-common-enemy-of-humanity-is-man-in-searching-for-a-new-enemy-to/) [Aurelio Peccei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aurelio-peccei/) > [Science is not the enemy of humanity but one of the deepest expressions of the human desire to realize that vision of infinite knowledge.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-pagels/science-is-not-the-enemy-of-humanity-but-one-of-the-deepest/) [Heinz Pagels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-pagels/) > [“The worst enemy of our humanity is our self-doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lolly-daskal/the-worst-enemy-of-our-humanity-is-our-self-doubt/) [Lolly Daskal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lolly-daskal/) > [Whenever you hear the word "inevitable", watch out! An enemy of humanity has identified himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vizinczey/whenever-you-hear-the-word-inevitable-watch-out-an-enemy-of-humanity/) [Stephen Vizinczey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vizinczey/) > [The worst enemy of humanity is U.S. capitalism. That is what provokes uprisings like our own, a rebellion against a system, against a neoliberal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evo-morales/the-worst-enemy-of-humanity-is-u-s-capitalism-that-is-what-provokes/) [Evo Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evo-morales/) > [Capitalism is the worst enemy of humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evo-morales/capitalism-is-the-worst-enemy-of-humanity/) [Evo Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evo-morales/) > [Fear's greatest weapon is its ability to blind one to anything. In its presence, we forget there are others to consider, things to save…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-carroll/fear-s-greatest-weapon-is-its-ability-to-blind-one-to-anything-in-its/) [Jonathan Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-carroll/) > [“We fear it, yet most of us fear more than anything that it may take someone other than ourselves. For the greatest fear of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fredrik-backman/we-fear-it-yet-most-of-us-fear-more-than-anything-that-it-may-take/) [Fredrik Backman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fredrik-backman/) > [It is fear that is the greatest cause of misery in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/it-is-fear-that-is-the-greatest-cause-of-misery-in-the-world/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The people with the most fear have the greatest opportunity to be brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-pascal/the-people-with-the-most-fear-have-the-greatest-opportunity-to-be/) [Francine Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-pascal/) ## More by Euginia Herlihy > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“The gift of words, the source of enjoyment, the source of delight that comes within and the unfading beauty and energy of words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/the-gift-of-words-the-source-of-enjoyment-the-source-of-delight-that/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“Where is hope there is a life and future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/where-is-hope-there-is-a-life-and-future/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“In life you dream, you step out and you make it happen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/in-life-you-dream-you-step-out-and-you-make-it-happen/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“I learned to ambush the fear and I managed to turn vulnerability to ruthlessness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/i-learned-to-ambush-the-fear-and-i-managed-to-turn-vulnerability-to/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“You could feel hurt and rejected right now but you must know that both pain and rejection are not here to stay. They just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/you-could-feel-hurt-and-rejected-right-now-but-you-must-know-that/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“Dream chasers are full of strength, are full of desire, are passionate and they cling unto their dreams until they produce life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/dream-chasers-are-full-of-strength-are-full-of-desire-are-passionate/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“Great Britain be proud, be blessed, be bold! Show the world what are you made of; show them you are made of gold not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/great-britain-be-proud-be-blessed-be-bold-show-the-world-what-are-you/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“Keep dreaming because your dream will be the message that brings change to the others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/keep-dreaming-because-your-dream-will-be-the-message-that-brings/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“I speak blessing upon blessing, grace upon grace over your lives. May the God of Hosts protect you and your entire families through out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/i-speak-blessing-upon-blessing-grace-upon-grace-over-your-lives-may/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“To dream is to have your own world you created in your in your mind but you have to unleash that world to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/to-dream-is-to-have-your-own-world-you-created-in-your-in-your-mind/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“You could seem so weak, so simple-minded in the eyes of man to contain the enormous dream/vision God has given you because no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/you-could-seem-so-weak-so-simple-minded-in-the-eyes-of-man-to-contain/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“Joy brings smiles on our faces, it brings power, peace and sound mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/joy-brings-smiles-on-our-faces-it-brings-power-peace-and-sound-mind/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“Love is a powerful device that builds the broken bridges.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/love-is-a-powerful-device-that-builds-the-broken-bridges/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [“The most sad and dangerous people are the ones who are desperate to be like you. The people dress like you, try to talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/the-most-sad-and-dangerous-people-are-the-ones-who-are-desperate-to/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) [Explore all 311 Euginia Herlihy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) ## More Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [“We all know how the thing we secretly fear is not a secret at all but the open and eternal thing that predicts its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-all-know-how-the-thing-we-secretly-fear-is-not-a-secret-at-all-but/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“I had nowhere to go and did not wish to be seen by anyone for fear they would recognize my sadness and so for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/i-had-nowhere-to-go-and-did-not-wish-to-be-seen-by-anyone-for-fear/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [“Snip off the little worries and expressions of worry” like little branches atop a tall tree.28 If you are truly worried, sharing your concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sanders/snip-off-the-little-worries-and-expressions-of-worry-like-little/) [Tim Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sanders/) > [“Fear and desire for pleasure. Aggressiveness comes out of fear, predominantly, and sexuality predominantly out of the other. But they mix in the middle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/fear-and-desire-for-pleasure-aggressiveness-comes-out-of-fear/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) [Browse all 35,569 Fear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Fear is the greatest enemy of humanity, it paralyses tons and tons of people around the globe.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Euginia Herlihy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-it-paralyses-tons-and-tons-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fear" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-it-paralyses-tons-and-tons-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/euginia-herlihy-998_fear_fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-i_3201430.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/euginia-herlihy-998_fear_fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-i_3201430.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d83/euginia-herlihy-998_fear_fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-i_3201430.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Fear is the greatest enemy of humanity, it paralyses tons and tons of people around the globe.” — Euginia Herlihy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Euginia Herlihy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Fear is the greatest enemy of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-it-paralyses-tons-and-tons-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/fear-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-humanity-it-paralyses-tons-and-tons-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```